Monday, September 30, 2013

Yet another progress report for my projects...

Unfortunately, the public release of the VRS Tacpack update has been delayed once again... and its release date has been changed from "imminent" to "it is done when it is done"... This is a little inconvenience for me, as it pretty much screws up my release plan and schedule, but knowing the VRS guys a little you can rest assured this is done for good reasons and the Tacpack will only get better.
So, here is where I am with my projects:

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II

This is pretty much done and ready for release. Actually has been sitting on my HD without further modifications for few weeks now. The only thing that I would like to add would be some sort of pre-planned Air-to-Surface targeting, which is missing at the moment (only TOO targets are supported), but it is good to go IMHO.

Added test flight
nose probe (triggered by pilot weight – set it to 201 lbs and it
will show)

Improved
afterburner effects and added heat shimmer fx

Grumman F-14D Tomcat
This is the project I have been working on for the most part, lately. I planned to provide a very basic Tacpack support...and I am still adding stuff. The updates to the 3D models are done, but I need to write some code for the new RIO switches and functions. And the HUD Air-to-Ground modes has some bugs. Not sure how long it will take to complete it.

Lockheed S-3B Viking

Slow, but steady, progress on this one. The external model is almost done (basically it missing just some texturing), while the cockpit modeling is not started yet. Still looking promising. Here is how it looks right now...

Boeing T-45C Goshawk

Just a quick note in reply to a frequently asked question: there is NO update planned on this one for two reasons: the first is that there is little to be fixed, IMHO, and the second one is that I do not have time. *BUT* I am still taking notes and listening to feedback - and may be in future I will modify it once again.

The issue is very clear...unfortunately, as far as I understand it, is a more general problem. Tacpack-generated NAVaids are different from the standard one and require "special handling". Therefore I should rewrite the avionics so that they accept standard or TP Navaids on the fly... which would take quite a while.

I believe the same issue could be there if you use the F-35 or the F-14D (let me know if I am wrong!)...

The issue is very clear...unfortunately, as far as I understand it, is a more general problem. Tacpack-generated NAVaids are different from the standard one and require "special handling". Therefore I should rewrite the avionics so that they accept standard or TP Navaids on the fly... which would take quite a while.

I believe the same issue could be there if you use the F-35 or the F-14D (let me know if I am wrong!)...

do the weapons show on the current versions of the f14 and goshawk? because despite adding 5000lbs to each station (which should be enough to show them) they dont appear. i also looked in the cfg file for the weights, added what the cfg said in game, and nothing appeared.

Absence of the Tacpack**********************Working weapons (and RWR, ECM, Chaffs/Flares, Radar search and weapons configurator) are supported ONLY through the Tacpack.I know it is not the only way to do that...but that it the only way supported by my projects, for the moment at least.

Weapons on CURRENT T-45 and F-14D*********************************The T-45 has optional "visual only" BDU-33 model and baggage pod - linked to an alternate exit controls: SHIFT+E then 3 and SHIFT+E then 4... Current F-14 does NOT have weapons (will get them, as weight dependent features) in the next update...

F-35 Missing Textures*********************Boy, I thought I got rid of them in the last update...

Hey Dino, I have downloaded and installed the t 45 but when it comes to cold ramp starting it, i cannot get the engine to catch, it just spools and spools, I am following the exact procedures for lighting it (as my wing members can get it started no problem) but i just cant get it to light. Have you run across this problem before?

This is a new version of the F-35 project that improves the freeware version in several areas including new visual models, additional avionics functionalities (with TFLIR, DAS and ASR imaging support) and new flight dynamics.

FREEWARE DOWNLOADS

This section provides download links for the latest official releases of my freeware projects. Normally, these files are also uploaded to avsim.com and flightsim.com, although there is no guarantee that any external website has the latest version.

IF YOU WISH TO DONATE...

In November 2015, IndiaFoxtEcho Visual Simulation has been officially registered as a company and will venture into the production of payware add-ons.
This does not mean that freeware will be abandoned, but rather will provide the means for funding more complex (and hopefully better) addons. The fist two payware projects will be the new F-35 for Prepar3d v.25 and the Military Avatars Package.
Still, if you like my freeware projects and wish to make a donation here is a Paypal "donate" button.